The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of inciting the people against the Department of State Services (DSS) over its raid on the homes of judges suspected of being corrupt.

The party took exception to Fayose’s action of using a live broadcast to accuse the DSS of “illegality, impunity and attack on the rule of law” saying the governor’ position followed the same pattern of his criticism of other anti-graft agencies anytime he feels threatened by their activities.

The APC, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, explained that contrary to Fayose posturing as fighting for the rule of law, the governor is actually fighting for his own survival “as it is most likely he has something he is hiding that we do not know”.

The party also criticised the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for condemning DSS, explaining that NBA’s action is condemnable against the backdrop of its silence when the judiciary faced a more daring and contemptuous challenge to the authority of the courts by private individuals, notably Fayose when he allegedly led thugs to attack the court in Ado-Ekiti.

The APC spokesman also accused Governor Nyesom Wike of obstructing DSS from carrying out their duty, saying it is clear a case of obstructing the course of justice.

DSS had at the weekend obtained a Magistrate Court search warrant to conduct sting operations on some judges suspected of corruption in the discharge of their duties in election matters.

Olatunbosun noted that Fayose is always edgy when issues of corruption and how to deal with them by the agencies of government are on the table.

He said: “Fayose’s attempt to set Ekiti people against DSS through inflammatory statements in a live broadcast on the state media to again instigate the people against security agencies will not save him from facing justice in his numerous brushes against the law.

“He is always agitated whenever there is any move against corruption, which can be seen in his latest condemnation of the DSS raid on Judges’ residences, and this follows his pattern of crying wolf where there is none.”

He added: “The same man talking about the rule of law once invaded the State High Court in Ado-Ekiti with thugs to beat up a judge, break courtroom windows, tear court records and beat the Chief Judge’s secretary.

“It is an irony for a serial law breaker to suddenly become a defender and protector of the law after he once caused the courts in Ekiti State to be put under lock and key for months so that his eligibility matter could not be heard.

“We wish to ask the NBA why they didn’t condemn that invasion of the courts and beating up of a judge in Ekiti in September 2014 but suddenly found its voice now that the judiciary is in the process of being sanitized.

“We are disappointed in the NBA for not condemning Governor Nyesom Wike for obstructing the cause of justice by preventing law enforcement agents from carrying out their duty. “We also wonder why the affected judge didn’t call his brother judge instead of calling Governor Wike?“